A fire at an Islamic school in northern Nigeria has claimed the lives of at least 17 children.
Several other students sustained injuries and were quickly taken to health facilities in Kauran Namoda, Zamfara state, for medical attention.
Reports suggest the blaze began in a nearby house on Tuesday night before spreading to the school, where the children, mostly teenagers, were asleep.
Local authorities and emergency teams arrived at the scene, but the fire had already caused severe casualties.
Eyewitness Yahaya Mahi told BBC Hausa that the school’s location posed challenges for those attempting to extinguish the flames.
“Even if the firefighters had come on time, reaching the house would’ve been difficult due to the tight road leading to the house,” he said.
Local official Mannir Haidara said other Islamic schools would be inspected to make sure they were not a fire risk.
”We’ll take measures to prevent another occurrence of this nature,” he said.
The father of one of the victims told BBC Hausa that he was devastated but his faith in God was comforting him at this time.